Olivia de Havilland lived to 104 – these three things she believed were the key

Researchers have spent years examining the link between optimism and longevity.

A 2022 study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that the most optimistic women lived longer on average than the least optimistic.

The researchers also investigated whether the difference could be explained by healthier habits such as exercise, diet, and lower smoking rates, but these factors accounted for only a small part of the association.

Training the brain

Mental activity also appears to play a role. In a 2022 study published in NEJM Evidence, people with mild memory problems completed crossword puzzles, among other activities, over an extended period.

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The results showed improvements in several participants. According to Health Digest, neurologist Joe Verghese of Stony Brook University believes that activities such as crossword puzzles may help strengthen the brain and potentially delay symptoms of dementia.

A simple answer

Olivia de Havilland was best known for the classic film Gone With the Wind and lived to the age of 104. In an interview with Vanity Fair in 2016, she was asked about the secret to her good health.

Her answer was simple. She highlighted love, laughter, and light as the most important elements in life.

She passed away in 2020, but her outlook on life aligns closely with more recent research suggesting that optimism, stress management, and mental activity may contribute to a long life.

Also read: 5 habits shared by people who live past 100 - and what the research behind the Blue Zones actually shows

Sources: Health Digest, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, NEJM Evidence, and Vanity Fair.

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